• Érick Gutiérrez scored the winning goal
• Chivas sit in 10th place and will look to secure a spot
• Javier Hernández came on in the 63rd minute

WHAT HAPPENED?

Chivas secured a crucial win that keeps their play-in hopes alive. With a 1-0 victory over Puebla at Estadio Akron, thanks to a 37th-minute goal from Érick Gutiérrez, El Rebaño reached 20 points and will now fight for a postseason ticket Saturday against Atlas in Matchday 17 of the Clausura 2025.

Despite the much-needed result Tuesday, two key figures were booed by the home crowd: head coach Gerardo Espinoza, who was jeered when the lineups were announced, and striker Javier Hernández, who was met with boos upon entering the match in the 63rd minute.

Both figures could be facing their final days with the club, depending on how things unfold for Guadalajara in the final stretch.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Chivas snapped a five-game winless streak in Liga MX by defeating Puebla in the penultimate round of the Clausura 2025, keeping their hopes alive for a spot in the final phase of the tournament. It’s now been eight years since El Rebaño last lifted the league trophy.

And while a title run under Espinoza may seem like a long shot, having Chivas in the Liguilla is always a boost for Mexican football. To get there, they’ll need to beat Atlas - a team that knocked them out of the play-in just last season.

WHAT GERARDO ESPINOZA SAID

El Rebaño will play for their play-in spot against Atlas.

"As if the Clásico wasn’t already special, now with a ticket to the play-in on the line, it becomes even more intense. We expect it to be a passionate, exciting match and hope it’s played at the highest level," Espinoza said.

He also acknowledged that the team's lack of finishing has been a key factor in why they haven’t secured more points throughout the tournament.

"Many situations develop in ways you don't expect. We need to raise awareness within the squad that if we want to go further, we have to step it up and close out games more convincingly. In previous matches, we had chances to seal the result, but things didn’t go our way and the points slipped away from us," he explained.

WHAT NEXT FOR CHIVAS?

Espinoza’s squad will fight for their play-in ticket this Saturday when they visit Atlas at Estadio Jalisco. The last two editions of the Clásico Tapatío have both ended in victories for the Rojinegros.